Nibbāna: The Final Gold of Buddhists
Nibbāna: The Final Gold of Buddhists
Article of ALOK MIND (Buddhist Philosophy) No. 6.
Author: Bhikkhu ALOKA
Published by ALOK MIND Foundation
Issued: 3 April, 2024
Abstract
This paper is an academic study of Nibbāna aimed at clarifying the arguments surrounding questions such as: What is Nibbāna? Does Nibbāna exist? Is Nibbāna visible? And why is Nibbāna invisible? Nibbāna is true that it exists, but it transcends all temporal designations, being empty of past, present, and future. Although Nibbāna is empty in the three periods, it appears due to the power of diligence. Nibbāna can only be seen by a person who makes an effort. If you don’t make an effort, you won’t be able to see it. Nibbāna is within reach for those who strive, like a fireman. By contemplating and remembering the glory of Nibbāna, one can attain a purified and peaceful mind, and wisdom will grow within them. Additionally, one will gain access to the concentration of jhana by putting efforts continually. Finally, they will see and attain Nibbāna.
Introduction
The Buddha discovered the final or ultimate goal of all human beings, Nibbāna, through his full enlightenment. However, many people harbor curiosity and doubts about Nibbāna, such as King Milinda. Primarily, they question whether Nibbāna exists or not, why it is not visible, what the signs of Nibbāna are, and so forth. In the debates of King Milinda, Letisayataw’s Meditation Text and Aṇguttaranikāya, Sihanādavagga, indicate some very effective explanations of Nibbāna which can clarify the curiosity and doubts about Nibbāna. Therefore, it is necessary for academic studies and interpretation.
What is Nibbana?
Nibbana is a reality transcendent to the entire mundane world and can be reached by special persons to become uniquely enlightened and discover the profound experience of Nibbana. Many mundane people doubt, “Does Nibbana exist?” With similar curiosity, King Milinda asked Venerable Nagasena, who replied that Nibbana does indeed exist. The king then asked whether Nibbana is present, past, or future. In response, Venerable Nagasena clarified that it is true that Nibbana exists, but it transcends all temporal designations, being empty of past, present, and future.[1]
Does Nibbana exist?
In a debate, the king asked again whether we should say that Nibbana does not exist or there is no Nibbana? Venerable Nagasena gave an example and asked the king, “Was there already fire in the green bamboos?” The king answered, “No.” Venerable Nagasena said Nibbana is the same example; although Nibbana was empty in the three periods, it appeared due to the power of diligence.
Is Nibbana visible?
King Milinda also asked Venerable Nagasena, “Is Nibbana visible?” Venerable Nagasena replied, “No, Nibbana is not manifest in the form of matter.” The venerable gave the same previous example, stating that there was no fire in the two green bamboos, but if they were rubbed, the fire would come out; if they were not rubbed, there would be no fire. Nibbana can only be seen by a person who makes an effort. Nagasena also said that if you don’t make an effort, you won’t be able to see it. Nibbana is within reach for those who strive, like a fireman.
Why is Nibbana invisible?
If someone is curious why Nibbana is invisible or unseen, the answer will be very clear because they are with the darkness of ignorance. Without the light of wisdom, the eternal Nibbana is not found. Therefore, in order to find Nibbana, one must strive with vipassana samadhiti (right insight meditation) and observe everything that appears in mind and body.
The sign of Nibbana
The sign of Nibbana is wisdom or enlightenment, for example, lighting a fire in the darkness. Darkness is gone and light has come. Therefore, fire gives light; the darkness is gone; it shows the existing item. Likewise, the sign of wisdom removes the darkness of ignorance; the color of wisdom also emerges. It also reveals the existence of Nibbana.
With which mind can Nibbana be sought?
Nibbana must be sought with a pure mind, one free from attachment, aversion, and delusion-commonly referred to as defilements in Pali (kilesa in Sanskrit as klesha). Therefore, to perceive Nibbana, one must cultivate a mind devoid of defilements. Such a mind, detached from impurities, aligns with the path and can direct its focus towards Nibbana. To attain Nibbana, one must progressively purify oneself, gradually shedding defilements. As defilements diminish, so does the purification of the intellect.
Two Types of Nibbana
According to Theravada Buddhist scripture, specifically the Aṇguttaranikāya, Sihanādavagga,[2] there are two types of Nibbana: a) The Nibbana element with the residue remaining (Saupādisesa Nibbāna). b) The Nibbana element without the residue remaining (Anuupādisesa Nibbāna). Before death, the element of Nibbana with residue remaining is the state of Nibbana attained by the arahat (the liberated one) in this present life, called Saupādisesa Nibbāna. The Nibbana element without residue remaining is attained by an arahant upon passing away, with the breakup of his body, which we conventionally call death.
What needs to be done to believe in Nibbana?
According to Letisayataw’s Meditation Text,[3] one needs to know the praises of Nibbana, as well as to contemplate the qualities of Nibbana again and again. By contemplating and remembering the glory of Nibbana, one can attain a purified and peaceful mind, and wisdom will grow within him/her. Additionally, one will gain access to the concentration of jhana.
Qualities of Nibbana:
- Nibbana without pride. (Madanimdano)
- Nibbana, where the hunger and thirst are eliminated. (Pipāsavinayo)
- Nibbana, the absolute departure from sensual pleasures. (Ālayasamugghāto)
- Nibbana, a place free from the three whirlpools. (vaṭṭupassedo)
- Nibbana, the end of cravings. (Taṇhākhayo)
- Nibbana, free from attachment. (Virāgo)
- Nibbana, the end of desire. (Nirodo)
- Nibbana is always exiting. (Dhuvam)
- Nibbana is without aging. (Ajaram)
- Nibbana is without conceptual elaboration. (Nipapancam)
- Nibbana is unconditionally true. (saccān)
- Nibbana is the other side of the samsara cycle. (Pāram)
- Nibbana, which is rarely seen by those who are weak in wisdom. (Sududdasam)
- Nibbana, the peaceful place without passion. (sivam)
- Nibbana, where there is no death. (Amata)
- Nibbana, a place of peace and safety. (Khemam)
- Nibbana, a place without formation and miracle. (Abbutam)
- Nibbana, where there is no danger and no worries. (Anītikam)
- Nibbana, a place of protection from suffering-based whirlpools. (Tāṇam)
- Nibbana, a place which is cut away from any danger. (Leṇam)
- Nibbana, which is such an island that is not covered by floods of attachment, aversion, and delusion. (Dīpam)
- Nibbana, which is absolutely purer being from any passions. (Visuddhi)
- Nibbana, which holy person attain for. (Varam)
- Nibbana, which is mild. (Nipuṇam)
- Nirvana, which is not reproduced by causes or conditions. (Asankhata)
- Nibbana, free from passion. (Mokkho)
- Nibbana, especially praiseworthy. (Seṭho)
- Nibbana, which is incomparable and excellent. (Anuttaro)
- Nibbana, the end of the three worlds. (Lokssanto)
Therefore, contemplate the qualities of Nibbana again and again while building three abilities: generosity, morality, and wisdom. The mentality of generosity will bring the ability of satisfaction in any aspect of things, and morality will develop stability of mind, which is a vital need for concentration of the mind or achieving a high level of meditation. Then, practice either tranquility meditation or insight meditation, which can clarify the cloud of delusion, and the practitioner will see and believe in Nibbana.
Conclusion
More than taking arguments about Nibbāna, practice either tranquility meditation or insight meditation, which can clarify the cloud of delusion, and the practitioner will see and believe in Nibbana. According to the debates of King Milinda, Nibbāna is true that it exists, but it transcends all temporal designations, being empty of past, present, and future. Although Nibbāna is empty in the three periods, it appears due to the power of diligence. Nibbāna can only be seen by a person who makes an effort. If you don’t make an effort, you won’t be able to see it. Nibbāna is within reach for those who strive, like a fireman. By contemplating and remembering the glory of Nibbāna, one can attain a purified and peaceful mind, and wisdom will grow within them. Additionally, one will gain access to the concentration of jhana by putting efforts continually. Finally, they will see and attain Nibbāna.
[1] Bhikkhu Pesala, The Debate of King Milinda, (United Kingdom: Association for Insight Meditation Publication, 2001), p.159.
[2] Prof.E. Hardy. (ed.). The Aṅguttara- Nikāya. Part IV. Sattaka Nipāta, Atthaka-Nipāta and Navaka Nipāta. London: PTS, Pp.379-381.
[3] Letisayataw, Kammatthan Kyant, (Myanmar: Bhāthārecaauk Publication, 2022), p. 193.
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